Ex-Debenhams workers 'forcibly removed' by Gardai outside Blanchardstown Centre

Wombatman

Mandate Trade Union General Secretary, Gerry Light, today condemned the actions of Debenhams liquidators, KPMG, regarding the removal of stock from the Debenhams Blanchardstown location in the early hours of this morning whilst under the cover of darkness.

Mr Light said, “As late as yesterday I wrote requesting that KPMG or any of its agents should desist from attempting to remove stock from any Debenhams location on the basis that it was clearly in contravention of existing Covid-19 regulations in that it could not reasonably be considered to be essential work. Frankly, this pre-emptive decision to forcibly remove stock in a covert operation with the Gardaí defies belief, especially on the very same day the Ex-Debenhams National Shop Steward Group were planning to meet with representatives from Solas and the Department of Education to further discuss the €3m fund that has been made available by the Taoiseach and his government.”

https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/ex-debenhams-workers-forcibly-removed-20305262

blanch152

Wombatman wrote: »

Mandate Trade Union General Secretary, Gerry Light, today condemned the actions of Debenhams liquidators, KPMG, regarding the removal of stock from the Debenhams Blanchardstown location in the early hours of this morning whilst under the cover of darkness.

Mr Light said, “As late as yesterday I wrote requesting that KPMG or any of its agents should desist from attempting to remove stock from any Debenhams location on the basis that it was clearly in contravention of existing Covid-19 regulations in that it could not reasonably be considered to be essential work. Frankly, this pre-emptive decision to forcibly remove stock in a covert operation with the Gardaí defies belief, especially on the very same day the Ex-Debenhams National Shop Steward Group were planning to meet with representatives from Solas and the Department of Education to further discuss the €3m fund that has been made available by the Taoiseach and his government.”

https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/ex-debenhams-workers-forcibly-removed-20305262

You left out the point that the workers were in breach of a High Court order.

Wombatman

blanch152 wrote: »

You left out the point that the workers were in breach of a High Court order.

They should have taken names in that case and cautions should have been issued. Gardaí should not physically touch anybody unless they are protecting other people, defending themselves or arresting them. There shouldn't be behaving like a gang of hired thugs.

gordongekko

Wombatman wrote: »

They should have taken names in that case and cautions should have been issued. Gardaí should not physically touch anybody unless they are protecting other people, defending themselves or arresting them. There shouldn't be behaving like a gang of hired thugs.

I don't agree with what happened but if there is a high court order then they must enforce it. Your issue is with the system, not the gardai who were just doing their job

Wombatman

gordongekko wrote: »

I don't agree with what happened but if there is a high court order then they must enforce it. Your issue is with the system, not the gardai who were just doing their job

Yeah, they were just following orders ........

Potential-Monke

Wombatman wrote: »

Yeah, they were just following orders ........

Kinda how it works in AGS... Unless the order is illegal, one must follow it.

Leg End Reject

Debenhams is dead in Ireland, the stock can't be left and the buildings unused forever.

I completely understand the employee's being frustrated and upset, but they need to accept it wasn't financially viable here and the guards are just performing their duty.

James Brown

They should have picketed 24/7 in shifts.

Eric Cartman

Glad they were removed, absolutely barbaric that they stopped the company removing their property. Thank christ the gardai intervened to allow due process for a failing business and get the creditors paid

Louis Friend

Talk about flogging a dead horse. This story is more about subversive elements latching on to it and less about some retail staff who lost their jobs ages ago.

Are they able to draw the dole while picketing?

Darc19

The company went bust. It last made a profit in 2007. The UK parent company has gone bust too.

The level of customer service in the stores was dreadful. It was overpriced and their so called sales did not fool many.

An archaic retailer that did not move with the times.


The continued protests also prevented another very strong retailer taking over five stores.

Kermit.de.frog

Seems straight forward really. It's unfortunate anyone loses a job but this seems a clear cut bankruptcy of a company that couldn't adapt or just outlived it's purpose for consumers.

These workers aren't unique in this situation.

They really need to move on.